The hypoglycemic and free-radical scavenging activities of Ficus pseudopalma, Musa paradisiaca and Syzygium cuminii.

Insulin deficiency in the diabetic state results in the impairment of glucose utilization leading to an increased generation of oxygen free radicals. This may increase the risk of diabetic complications. Thus, this study was conducted to determine the hypoglycemic and the free-radical scavenging activities of the ethanolic leaf extract of Ficus pseudopalma (Blco.), the ethanolic unripe fruit extract of Musa paradisiaca (Linn.) and the lyophilized fruit juice of Syzygium cuminii (Linn.).

The blood glucose concentrations of nondiabetic and Streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice given plant samples and glucose load orally were determined by enzymatic-colorimetric method. Kinetics of the free-radical scavenging at 1 mg/mL and 10 mg/mL of plant samples were also determined using 2,2-diphenyl-1-dipicryl hydrazine (DPPH). The absorbance changes of the plant samples were measured every 5 minutes for a total of 30 minutes at 517 nm.

The assays showed that greatest blood glucose lowering effect was shown by S. cuminii while greatest free radical scavenging activity was exhibited by F. pseudopalma. (Author)